fiscal cliff scenario to play out, wolf. but as you point out when we look back over the last three years, we've had these kinds of negotiations, it at times appears very optimistic that things will get done, then both sides very far apart. but in the final hours they get a deal done. that's the hope that despite the rhetoric what you're hearing now that this deal will happen before the end of the year. >> all right. we can only hope that there will be a compromise, this fiscal cliff will be avoided. dan lothian, thank you. not everyone seems to think it would be such a bad idea to actually go over the fiscal cliff. just one day after the treasury secretary said the white house is absolutely prepared to do just that under certain circumstances a leading economist is echoing those sentiments. >> i would not come up with a deal unless it's a really good deal before the end of the year. i would take it into next year if that means you're going to get a better deal. >> let's bring in our senior congressional correspondent dana b